Rep. Calvert Hails Path to Prosperity Budget

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) hailed the House Budget Committee's passage of the fiscal year 2015 House Republican budget by and issued the following statement:

"House Republicans have introduced a responsible budget that actually balances and provides a solid foundation for future economic growth. Our budget makes the difficult, yet important reforms to our entitlement programs which, left unchecked, threaten our economy and national security. The bold choices in the House Republican budget stand in stark contrast to the President's uninspired budget and the Senate Democrat's nonexistent budget. I want to thank Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan for his leadership in ensuring that our government is accountable, and lives within its means so that America continues to work for middle class families for years to come."

Rep. Calvert worked closely with Chairman Ryan to identify discretionary spending reforms that cut wasteful spending, while maintaining the integrity and value of government programs. Specifically, Congressman Calvert helped to draft language that addresses the overgrowth in the Defense civilian workforce which continues to create a significant budgetary burden. Pages 23-24 of the budget resolution state that, "any reductions in military end strength should be accompanied by reductions in the civilian and contactor workforce, which has ballooned in recent years and is now approximately the same size as the active-duty military, a ratio that is out of balance. Reductions by the Secretary of Defense should focus on performance while retaining vital functions that directly support the uniformed force."

Additionally, Congressman Calvert worked to include language to support the expansion of the Moving to Work program to public housing authorities across the nation. The budget "resolution supports taking actions that would make housing-assistance programs more sustainable and work to direct federal dollars to serve those most in need…One reform could include the gradual expansion of the Moving to Work program to high-performing public housing authorities." (pg. 62) The Moving to Work designation will enable reform-minded public housing authorities, such as Riverside County's, to serve additional households by allowing agencies to implement innovative program policy changes which prioritize employment and encourage self-sufficiency.

The Path to Prosperity: A Responsible, Balanced Budget

(From the House Budget Committee)

Cuts $5.1 Trillion in Spending

· Cuts discretionary spending below the "post?sequester" caps.

· Cuts $2.8 trillion from Obamacare and Medicaid spending.

Balances the Budget

· Balances the budget in 2024 by growing the economy and shrinking big government.

· Puts the country on a path to paying off the debt entirely.

Repeals Obamacare

· Frees one?sixth of the U.S. economy from government mandates and controls.

· Reverses Medicaid's eligibility expansions and ends the Obamacare exchange subsidies.

Reforms Major Entitlements

· Provides state flexibility in Medicaid starting in 2016.

· Provides state flexibility in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program starting in 2019.

· Strengthens the work requirements in Food Stamps (SNAP).

· Makes structural reforms to Medicare starting in 2024.

Reforms the Tax Code

· Lowers the top individual and corporate tax rates to 25 percent.

· Eliminates special?interest tax loopholes.

· Moves to an internationally competitive tax system.

· Eliminates the Alternative Minimum Tax.

Cuts Cronyism, Corporate Welfare, and Waste

· Ends Dodd–Frank's bailout of big banks.

· Ends green?energy slush fund and other corporate subsidies in the energy industry.

· Eliminates $7 billion of corporate welfare within the Department of Commerce.

· Closes the Food Stamps "heat and eat" loophole.

· Ends concurrent receipt of Disability Insurance and Unemployment Insurance.

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